(a) whether the Union Government has drawn any plan for checking the pollution level in various forms in townships and cities having population of more than 3 lakhs;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the States are being provided any assistance by the Union Government under the said plan; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) to (d) Based upon the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring data, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified 54 non-attainment cities in the country, most of which have population more than 3 lakhs. To control and regulate air pollution in these cities, CPCB has evolved guidelines which have been sent to the Governments of all the States / Union Territories and Pollution Control Boards. State Governments in coordination with the Pollution Control Boards and local level authorities have initiated action plans in the identified cities. These action plans include measures for control of vehicular pollution, industrial pollution and burning of bio-mass. The Government has also taken various steps to control air pollution, which include the following :-
- Notification of general and source specific emission standards. - Enforcement of auto exhaust emission standards for new vehicles at manufacturing stage. - Improved fuel quality. - Use of beneficiated coal in the thermal power stations. - Regular monitoring for compliance of environmental standards in 17 categories of industries. - A road map up to 2010 has been developed to control vehicular pollution for both the new and in-use vehicles. - New emission norms for in-use vehicles have been implemented from October, 2004.